1984 – Charles Pistis, Michigan Sea Grant Agent
1985 – Myrl Keller, DNR Biologist, Charlevoix Research Station
1986 – Dr. Ed Mahoney, Michigan State University
1987 – Bill Bishoff, Lansing Businessman, Supporter
1988 – Sue Wagner, Michigan Travel Bureau
1989 – Michigan Sea Grant Program
1990– Michigan Boating Industries Association.
1991 – Rob Elliott & Glenn Barner, M.S.U. Researchers
1992 – Jerry Bartnik, State Representative
1993 – Dr. Howard Tanner, Father of the Coho in MI
1993 ·- John M. Robertson, Michigan Fisheries Chief,
1994 – Tod Griseke, Biologist MUCC
1995 – Dan Thomas, GL Sport Fishing Council
2003 – Dr. Wayne Tody,Michigan Fisheries Chief, DNR
2004 – Tom Rozich, MDNR Fisheries Biologist
2005 – Stan Lievense, MDNR & Michigan’s official “Coho Ambassador”
2006 – Carlos Fetterholf, GL Fishery Commission
2007 – Ray Underwood, MBIA Executive Director
2008 – Dave Fielder, MDNR Senior Fisheries Biologist
2009 – Henri Boucher, VP, ShowSpan Inc.
2010 – Bob Garner, Host: Michigan Out Doors; NRC & Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund
2011 – Captain Dean Hobbs, “Badger” MCBA Chief Drug Administrative Officer
2012 – Dr. Kelly Smith, MDNR Director
1996 – Dean Fred Poston, Michigan State University
2013- Maxine Appleby, MCBA Webmaster
2014 – Dr. Kenneth E. Merckel,
1997- Jim Johnson, Michigan DNR Lake Huron Citizens Fishery Advisory
1998- Paul Wendler, Michigan Advisor to the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission
2015 _ Steve Schultz, Lawyer for Coalition to Protect Michigan Resources
1999- Joan Duffy, Michigan DNR
2016 – Jon Bumstead, State Representative
1999 – Jim VanDermass, MSSFA 100th House District
2000 – John Wernet, Assistant Attorney General in charge Native American Affairs Division
2000 – Peter Stetketee, Attorney for MUCC
2001 – Brandon Schroeder, Fisheries Specialist, MUCC
2002 – Gerry Rakoczy, Research Biologist, Charlevoix Research Station
2017 – Daniel O’Keefe, Michigan Sea Grant Agent
2017 – Jenny (Grinold) Gallegos, Special Award
2018 – Roger Greil, Lake Superior State University
2019 – Donna Wesander, DNR Charter Reporting
2021 – Amy Trotter, MUCC Executive Director
2022 – Dr. Bill Taylor, MSU Fisheries
2023 – Capt. Denny Blue, Author of Running the of Good Race and Through the Eyes of a Fisherman.
2024 – Chuck Kakuska, Sea K’s licensing
2025 – Marc Gaden, GLFC Executive Secetary
2026 – Jay Wesley, Lake Michigan Basin Coordinator